Streetcar Plans Plow Ahead

Cities Use Federal Funding to Back New Routes but Some Call Projects a Waste

In these times of tight budgets, a surprising number of cities across the U.S. are making big bets on streetcars to revive their downtowns. As Caroline Porter explains on The News Hub, the projects face broad support and wide skepticism. Photo: AP.

By

Caroline Porter

Updated Aug. 15, 2012 5:41 am ET

Cities from Los Angeles to Atlanta are making big bets to revitalize their downtowns by bringing back a form of transportation many abandoned decades ago: the streetcar.

Some cities are counting on help from federal stimulus dollars, but a few are going it alone.

Late last month, about 500 residents in one part of Kansas City, Mo., voted to...